System comprising a flagstick and a ferrule for marking a golf hole and a ferrule for use in such a system

ABSTRACT

A system comprising a flag stick and a ferrule for marking a golf hole, wherein the flag stick comprises a first end secured to a ferrule and a second end designed to be a clearly visible end with a flag, and where the ferrule comprises a head portion secured to the flag stick and a bottom portion designed for placement in a hole cup by a ferrule socket, where the head portion of the ferrule comprises a top surface with a flag stick hole for receiving a flag stick, where the flag stick and the ferrule are secured by means of fasteners, where the head portion of the ferrule comprises an elastic round piece, such that the ball can lie on a round piece and against the stick when the ball goes into the hole cup.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system comprising a flag stick and aferrule for marking a golf hole, wherein the flag stick comprises afirst end secured to a ferrule and a second end designed to be a clearlyvisible end with a flag, and wherein the ferrule comprises a headportion secured to the flag stick and a bottom portion designed forplacement in a hole cup by a ferrule socket, wherein the head portion ofthe ferrule comprises a top surface with a flag stick hole for receivinga flag stick, and wherein the flag stick and the ferrule are secured bymeans of fasteners.

The present invention furthermore relates to a ferrule for use in such asystem.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is generally known that the placement of a golf hole (or simply ahole) is marked with a flag stick (or simply a stick), which has apennant or a flag at its free end, the stick being placed in the middleof the hole with the aid of a hole cup, which is placed in the hole andbelow the level of the surrounding putting green.

It is likewise known that the portion of the stick which is placed in ahole comprises a ferrule, which fits into a ferrule socket of the holecup.

Given the golf rule that the stick must stand in the cup during play,time is saved on the course. However, there is a risk of this causingsomewhat more work for the greenkeepers. The edges of the hole caneasily be ruined, when the ball needs to be removed from the hole, whilethe flag is in place. For example, if the flag is not picked up beforethe ball is collected, there is not enough room left for both the flagstick, the hand of the golf player, and the ball.

One of the shortcomings of the prior art is thus, first of all, that itis not easier to pick up the ball from the hole and secondly, it is noteasy to remove it from the hole without damaging the edges of the holeand/or the grass.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,939,239 B1 describes a system for marking a golf hole,comprising a flag stick with a ferrule mounted thereon, a hole cup witha center hole arranged in the lower portion, and a disk-shaped elementsecured to the flag stick by a screw. The ferrule has a shapecorresponding to the shape of the hole in the hole cup. The disk-shapedelement is placed at a first distance from the top of the ferrule and atthe same time at a second distance from the upper edge of the hole cup.The element has an outer diameter, which is less than the inner diameterof the hole cup, allowing the flag stick to bend with the wind withouthitting the edge of the golf hole.

One shortcoming of this system is that the disk-shaped element over timewill lose its clamping force against the flag stick due to wear.Moreover, the ferrule needs to be removed before mounting thedisk-shaped element, unless the element is made of several pieces. Inorder to prevent the flag stick from striking the edge of the hole, itis necessary to make the element from a relatively rigid material.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the object of the invention is to create a system, which is animprovement of the prior art, where the ferrule has a round pieceforming a cone or a bowl, such that the ball may be positioned on around piece arranged in the groove of the ferrule, and where the ball isable to lie against the stick, when the ball goes into the hole cup, inwhich the stick and the ferrule were placed.

Likewise, a purpose of the invention is to create a round piece which iselastic and thus bendable and resilient, such that it will not cause anydamage to the green or edges of the hole.

Thus, the object of the invention is to save time, when removing theball from the hole.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, the above indicatedpurpose is accomplished with a system comprising a flag stick and aferrule for marking of a golf hole as described in the introduction andas described in the preamble of claim 1, where the head portion of theferrule furthermore comprises an elastic round piece.

By fastening means is meant indirect or direct fastening means. Examplesof indirect fastening means are glue or silicone, securing the stick andthe ferrule. Examples of direct fastening means are a thread, quickcouplings and bayonet couplings.

By elastic is meant that it involves, for example, rubber or anotherelastic polymer, where the round piece is made of such a material, andthus it substantially returns to its original shape when no longersubjected to external forces. For example, if the system is placed on agreen, the round piece is subjected to the weight of the system and theround piece yields, such that it does not leave holes or marks in thegreen. When the round piece is no longer loaded—for example, when thesystem is lifted up and put back into the golf hole—the round piecereturns to its former shape.

This makes it possible to manufacture, sell, and deliver a system formounting in existing hole cups prepared for this system.

The stick in a preferred embodiment will be made of fiberglass, sincethis makes it possible to produce flag sticks which are attractive interms of price, weight, and processing ability. Alternatives may beother composites, for example.

The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a system wherethe ferrule and the round piece form an integrated whole.

By an integrated whole is meant a unit where the ferrule and the roundpiece are permanently secured to each other, and therefore are notintended to be separated without the use of a destructive process. Theferrule and the round piece may be secured with the aid of glue oranother fastening means, such as rivets. Alternatively, the ferrule mayhave an outer configuration corresponding to an inner configuration ofthe round piece and designed such that the round piece and the ferrulecan only be separated with the aid of a destructive process.

This makes it possible to replace the entire unit, if the round piece orthe ferrule is broken or if a different appearance, a different color,or a different imprinted advertising is desired. It may be preferablefor the ferrule and the round piece to have a matching appearance, coloror advertising.

The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a system wherethe round piece is arranged interchangeably on the ferrule.

By interchangeable is meant that the round piece can be removed from theferrule in a non-destructive process, such that the ferrule can bereused together with a new round piece. The round piece may be securedin a given position on the ferrule by means of friction. The round piecemay also be secured to the ferrule with the aid of mechanical fasteners,which can be dismounted with the aid of tools or by use of fingersalone.

This makes it possible to replace the round piece quickly and easilywith or without the use of tools.

The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a system wherethe ferrule preferably comprises at least one mounting element designedfor mounting on the round piece.

The mounting element may be placed externally on the ferrule and beadapted to the configuration of the round piece. The mounting elementmay function alone or in cooperation with bolts or screws for fasteningof the round piece. Alternatively, the mounting element may comprise aremovable part, which can be removed from the ferrule to enable theplacement of the round piece. After the round piece has been put inplace, the removable part can be mounted once more for securing of theround piece. This can be done with the aid of a threaded coupling or amechanical fastening system.

This makes it possible to replace the round piece in a quick and easymanner, and thus to reuse parts of the system.

The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a system wherethe mounting element is a groove of the round piece, where the roundpiece groove is inclined relative to the perpendicular on the ferrule by5 to 85 degrees, preferably by 10 to 30 and further preferably by 20degrees, and thus it makes an acute angle with the top surface and anobtuse angle with the bottom portion of the ferrule.

This makes it possible to optimize the inclination of the round piece,so that the ball remains on the round piece when the system is lifted upfrom the cup. This gives the round piece the necessary rigidity so thatit is able to lift the weight of the ball. The groove in the ferrule andthe conical round piece also ensure that the rules of the R&A and theUSGA are observed. The R&A (The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of StAndrews is one of the world's oldest golf clubs, and it is the executivebody for golf in large portions of the globe) and the USGA (UnitedStates Golf Association, which is the national executive body for golfin the USA, its territories, and Mexico) stipulate that there shall beat least 4″ from the top edge of the grass to the bottom. By bottom ismeant where the ball comes to rest in the hole, with or without the flagstick. Moreover, the top edge of the hole cup shall be placed at least1″ from the top edge of the grass.

The groove of the round piece is configured such that the round pieceforms a cone or bowl, and thus that the ball will lie against the stickwhen the ball enters a golf hole where the system is already in place.

This makes it likewise possible to replace a round piece of a ferrule ifthe round piece is broken or if the round piece is to have a differentappearance, a different color, or a different imprinted advertising.

The elastic and flexible rubber round piece in a preferred embodiment isproduced in 1-10 mm, preferably 3-5 mm thickness and which can thereforebend so that it does not damage the green or the edges of the hole. Theround piece can advantageously be made of EPDM (Ethylene Propylene DieneMonomer), but it can also be made of other elastic materials, such assilicone or NBR (Nitrile).

The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a system wherethe bottom portion of the ferrule comprises at least two externalgrooves for receiving an elastic material.

The grooves may be configured as circular grooves arranged in or on theouter surface of the bottom portion. Alternatively, the grooves may havean elliptical or spiral conformation. Outer ribs on the bottom portionof the ferrule can form the grooves, or the grooves can be formed byflutes in the outer surface of the bottom portion.

This makes it possible to steer, insert, and secure the ferrule in theferrule socket of a golf cup, where the elastic material in a preferredembodiment is an O-ring of an elastic and flexible material such asrubber.

The present invention in a still further aspect also relates to a systemwhere the stick has an extension of 2 to 3 meters, preferably 2½ meters,and the direction of extension of the stick is between the first end andthe second end of the stick.

This makes it possible to see the stick at a very far distance and thisalso makes it easy to take hold of the stick, where there is a certainbalance and where the stick can be lifted up from the hole at the sametime as the ball.

The present invention in a still further aspect also relates to a systemwhere the system further comprises a hole cup with a ferrule socket,where the hole cup is designed for the inner dimensions of a golf holeplus the outer dimensions of the ferrule.

This makes it possible to manufacture, sell, and deliver an assembledunit, where the stick, the ferrule and the cup are fitted together, andwhere the unit is thus ready for use.

Golf holes have a standard dimension. Therefore, the adapting of thehole cup to the golf hole will also be standardized. The stick and thecup can however be manufactured in different ways, so that it isimportant for these elements to fit together in the system and be readyfor use.

The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a system wherethe round piece comprises a number of slots, extending from a firstsurface on the round piece to a second surface on the round piece.

This makes it possible to reduce the consumption of material, while atthe same time the round piece keeps its relative rigidity. The slotsalso make the round piece more flexible, so that it does not damage thegreen or edges of the hole under deformation.

The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a ferrule foruse in a system per the above.

This makes it possible to manufacture, sell, and deliver a ferrule whichis ready for use together with a stick.

The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a system wherethe ferrule and the round piece are integrated in a single unit.

This makes it possible to produce the ferrule and the round piece as anassembled unit, where the round piece appears as an integrated part ofthe ferrule. The ferrule can be manufactured in a first process step,e.g., via a CNC machine, and the round piece can be manufactured in asecond process step, e.g., via extrusion or injection molding. Theferrule may be placed in a molding machine or thermoforming machine,after which the round piece is formed or molded directly on the ferrule.The round piece can also be produced separately from the ferrule andthen be fastened permanently to the ferrule, e.g., with the help ofglue. In this embodiment, the round piece can only be removed by adestructive process.

This makes it possible to likewise replace the assembled unit if theround piece or the ferrule is broken or if a different appearance, adifferent color or a different imprinted advertising is desired. It ispossible to achieve a more uniform look in this way, since the ferruleand the round piece appear as a single unit.

The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a system wherethe round piece is interchangeable.

The round piece may be molded in such a way that the inner hole diameterof the round piece is less than the outer diameter of the ferrule, andthus the round piece will be everted onto the ferrule and will thus beable to maintain its position solely by its own clamping force andwithout mounting elements on the ferrule. The round piece mayadvantageously have a first part designed to clamp around the ferruleand a second part which forms the desired cone/bowl shape.

This makes it possible to replace the round piece by simplypulling/pushing the elastic round piece off from the ferrule andeverting a new round piece onto the ferrule without the use of tools.

The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a system wherethe ferrule preferably comprises at least one mounting element designedfor mounting of the round piece.

The mounting element can be placed externally on the ferrule and it canbe a protruding flange with one or more pegs for securing of the roundpiece. Alternatively, the pegs can be omitted and the flange can beplaced in a corresponding recess of the round piece. The mountingelement may also be a groove, which is molded for example or machined bylathe into the external surface of the ferrule. The mounting element mayfurthermore be one or more screw or bolt holes in the ferrule, whichcooperate with corresponding screws or bolts for fastening the roundpiece.

This makes it possible to replace the round piece by dismounting thescrews/bolts and removing the round piece. After this, a new round pieceis placed in the same position and the screws/bolts are mounted oncemore. Instead of screws/bolts, it is possible to use a quick coupling ora mechanical fastening system which can be operated without using tools.

The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a ferrulewhere the mounting element is a groove of the round piece, preferablyarranged at an angle relative to the perpendicular on the ferrule, suchthat it makes an acute angle with the top surface and an obtuse anglewith the bottom portion of the ferrule.

This makes it possible to optimize the inclination of the round piece sothat the round piece is given the necessary rigidity and can thereforelift the weight of the ball. This means that the ball remains on theround piece when the system is lifted up from the cup. The groove in theferrule and/or the round piece can be configured as previously describedso that the round piece is either created with or achieves the desiredconical configuration per the rules of the R&A and the USGA.

The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a ferrulewhere the round piece comprises a number of slots, extending from afirst surface on the round piece to a second surface on the round piece.

This makes it possible to reduce the material consumption, while at thesame time the round piece retains its relative rigidity.

The slots may extend from the one edge, such as the outer edge, towardthe other edge, such as the inner edge. The slots may be oblong slots,extending substantially in a radial direction. But the slots may be inany other position between the outer edge and the inner edge, and/orhave any other configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The invention shall be explained more closely in the following bydescribing embodiments with reference to the drawing, where:

FIG. 1 shows a flag stick with ferrule on a green with golf hole andball.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a flag stick with a ferrule placed in ahole cup in a golf hole, where a ball is lying on the round piece of theferrule.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a flag stick with a ferrule placed in ahole cup in a golf hole, where a ball is lying on the round piece of theferrule and where the stick, the ferrule and the ball have been liftedup from the hole cup and from the golf hole.

FIG. 4 shows a flag stick with a ferrule, where a ball is lying on theround piece of the ferrule and where the stick, the ferrule and the ballhave been lifted up from the hole cup.

FIG. 5 shows a flag stick with a ferrule, where a ball is lying on theround piece of the ferrule and where the stick, the ferrule and the ballhave been lifted up from the hole cup.

FIG. 6 shows a flag stick with a ferrule, where the round piece has notbeen mounted.

FIG. 7 shows a flag stick with a ferrule, where the round piece has beenmounted.

FIG. 8 shows two configurations of a ferrule with mounting elements.

FIG. 9 shows a ferrule with a self-sitting round piece.

FIG. 10 shows a round piece with slots in a loaded and non-loaded form,respectively.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   -   1 Flag stick/stick    -   2 Ferrule    -   3 Green    -   4 Golf hole/hole    -   5 Golf ball/ball    -   6 First end of flag stick    -   7 Second end of flag stick    -   8 Flag/pennant    -   9 Hole cup    -   10 Round piece of ferrule    -   11 Head portion of ferrule    -   12 Bottom portion of ferrule    -   13 Ferrule socket    -   14 Top surface of ferrule    -   15 Flag stick hole    -   16 Fastening means    -   17 Mounting element    -   18 Round piece groove    -   19 Acute angle    -   20 Obtuse angle    -   21 Bottom portion of ferrule    -   22 Circular groove of ferrule    -   23 Peg, mounting element    -   24 Upper grass edge    -   25 Bottom    -   26 Upper edge of hole cup    -   27 First surface    -   28 Second surface    -   29 Slots

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a flag stick 1 with ferrule 2 on a green 3 with a golf hole4 and a ball 5. The flag stick 1 has a first end 6 secured to theferrule 2 and a second end 7 as a clearly visible end with a flag 8, ahole cup 9 being placed in the hole 4.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a flag stick 1 with a ferrule 2 placedin a hole cup 9 in a golf hole 4, where a ball 5 is lying on the roundpiece 10 of the ferrule. It is evident from the figure that the ferrule2 has a head portion 11 secured to the flag stick 1 and a bottom portion12 placed in a hole cup 9 with a ferrule socket 13, where the headportion 11 of the ferrule has a top surface 14 with a flag stick hole 15for receiving a flag stick 1, and where the flag stick 1 and the ferrule2 are secured with the aid of fastening means 16, shown here as indirectfastening means.

It is likewise evident from the figure that the head portion 11 of theferrule comprises a mounting element 17 and that an interchangeableelastic round piece 10 is arranged on the mounting element 17.

Furthermore, a minimum measurement of 4″ is indicated from the uppermostgrass edge 24 to the bottom 25 (where the ball 5 is lying at rest in thehole 4), plus a minimum measurement of 1″ from the uppermost grass edge24 to the top edge of the hole cup 26.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a flag stick 1 with a ferrule 2, where aball 5 is lying on the round piece 10 of the ferrule and where the stick1, the ferrule 2 and the ball 5 are lifted up from the hole cup 9 andfrom the golf hole 4.

The figure shows a mounting element 17 in the form of a round piecegroove 18, where the round piece groove 18 is inclined relative to theperpendicular on the ferrule 2 by 5 to 85 degrees, but preferably by 10to 30 and further preferably by 20 degrees and thus makes an acute angle19 with the top surface 14 and an obtuse angle 20 with the bottomportion 21 of the ferrule. The figure likewise shows that the bottomportion 21 of the ferrule comprises two external circular grooves 22 forreceiving of an elastic material.

FIG. 4 shows a flag stick 1 with a ferrule 2, where a ball 5 is lying onthe round piece 10 of the ferrule, and where the stick 1, the ferrule 2and the ball 5 are lifted up from the hole cup 9.

FIG. 5 shows a flag stick 1 with a ferrule 2, where a ball 5 is lying onthe round piece 10 of the ferrule and where the stick 1, the ferrule 2and the ball 5 are lifted up from the hole cup 9 in a golf hole 4, wherethe hole cup 9 has a ferrule socket 13, and where the hole cup 9 isdesigned for the internal dimensions of a golf hole and the externaldimensions of the ferrule.

FIG. 6 shows a flag stick 1 with a ferrule 2, where the round piece 10is not mounted, and where the mounting element 17 in the form of a roundpiece groove 18 is visible.

FIG. 7 shows a flag stick 1 with a ferrule 2, where the round piece 10is mounted.

FIG. 8 shows two diagrams of embodiments of a ferrule 2 with mountingelements 17, where the one embodiment has at least one peg 23, and wherethe other embodiment has mounting elements 17 arranged with an anglecorresponding to the previously discussed round piece groove 18.

FIG. 9 shows a diagram of a ferrule 2 with a self-seating round piece10.

FIG. 10 shows a diagram of another round piece 10′, respectively in anunloaded form and in a loaded form. The round piece 10, 10′ has asubstantially disk-shaped profile, as shown in FIG. 10 and in FIG. 6-7.The round piece 10, 10′ comprises a first surface 27 and a secondsurface 28, plus an outer edge. The round piece 10, 10′ furthercomprises a central hole, indicating an inner edge on the round piece10, 10′.

The round piece 10′ at left in FIG. 10 is shown in an unloaded form,where the round piece 10′ is present in its original shape within themounting on the ferrule 2. The round piece 10′ has a substantially flatshape as shown in FIG. 10, but it may also have a curved or conicalconformation as shown in FIG. 6-7.

The round piece 10′ at right in FIG. 10 is shown in a loaded form, wherethe round piece 10′ is acted upon by an external force when it ismounted on the ferrule 2. The elastic material means that the roundpiece 10′ will deform elastically during its mounting, so that the roundpiece 10 assumes the desired conformation. When the round piece 10′ isdismounted, the round piece 10′ will assume its original shape.

The round piece 10 may have a continuous solid profile, as shown in FIG.6-7. The round piece 10′ may also be provided with a number of slots 29,extending from the first surface 27 to the second surface 28. The slots29 are arranged at least at one of the edges. The slots 29 here arearranged at the outer edge. The slots 29 extend in a radial directionfrom the outer edge toward the inner edge.

1. A system comprising a flagstick and a ferrule for marking a golfhole, wherein the flag stick comprises a first end secured to a ferruleand a second end designed to be clearly visible with a flag, and whereinthe ferrule comprises a head portion secured to the flag stick and abottom portion designed for placement in a hole cup with a ferrulesocket, wherein the head portion of the ferrule comprises a top surfacewith a hole for receiving a flag stick, wherein the flag stick and theferrule are secured by means of fasteners, characterized in that thehead portion of the ferrule further comprises an elastic round piece. 2.The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the ferrule andthe round piece form an integrated whole.
 3. The system according toclaim 1, characterized in that the round piece is arrangedinterchangeably on the ferrule.
 4. The system according to claim 3,characterized in that the ferrule comprises at least one mountingelement designed for mounting the round piece.
 5. The system accordingto claim 4, characterized in that the mounting element is a groove ofthe round piece, wherein the round piece groove is inclined from theperpendicular on the ferrule by 5 to 85 degrees, preferably by 10 to 30and further preferably by 20 degrees, and thus it makes an acute anglewith the top surface and an obtuse angle with the bottom portion of theferrule.
 6. The system according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterizedin that the bottom portion of the ferrule comprises at least twoexternal grooves for receiving an elastic material.
 7. The systemaccording to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the stickhas an extension of 2 to 3 meters, preferably 2½ meters, and thedirection of extension of the stick is between the first end and thesecond end of the stick.
 8. The system according to any of claims 1 to7, characterized in that the system further comprises a hole cup with aferrule socket, wherein the hole cup is designed for the innerdimensions of a golf hole in addition to the outer dimensions of theferrule.
 9. The system according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterizedin that the round piece comprises a number of slots, extending from afirst surface of the round piece to a second surface of the round piece.10. A ferrule for use in a system according to any of claims 1 to 9,wherein the ferrule comprises a head portion designed for fastening on aflag stick and a bottom portion designed for placement in a hole cupwith a ferrule socket, where the head portion of the ferrule comprises atop surface with a flag stick hole for receiving a flag stick,characterized in that the head portion of the ferrule further comprisesan elastic round piece.
 11. The ferrule according to claim 10,characterized in that the ferrule and the round piece are integrated ina single unit.
 12. The ferrule according to claim 10, characterized inthat the round piece is replaceable.
 13. The ferrule according to claim12, characterized in that the ferrule further comprises at least onemounting element designed for mounting of the round piece.
 14. Theferrule according to claim 13, characterized in that the mountingelement is a groove of the round piece, preferably arranged at an anglefrom the perpendicular on the ferrule, such that it forms an acute anglewith the top surface and an obtuse angle with the bottom portion of theferrule.
 15. The ferrule according to any one of claims 10 to 14,characterized in that the round piece comprises a number of slots,extending from a first surface on the round piece to a second surface onthe round piece.